Viagra Vs. Cialis: What’s Better?

Some would say that comparing Viagra with Cialis is like comparing apples to oranges. Others would vehemently argue otherwise, saving that there’s no difference between the two popular E.D. and P.E. meds. So which one is the truth? When it comes to a Viagra-versus-Cialis face-off, which one prevails?

The answer to that question isn’t so straightforward. While these two popular drugs have pervaded society on a granular level, some swear by only one or the other. Yet, however you look at it — whether you think Cialis is better than Viagra or vice versa — both of these meds are enzyme inhibitors at the end of the day.

So what does that really mean? Enzymes are simply substances in our bodies that act as catalysts for chemical reactions. Meaning, they help certain things occur. For example. If you were in a room filled with gas (hydrogen and oxygen gas) and you lit a match, it would be the catalyst for an explosion.

The match (and resultant flame produced) acts as a catalyst by combining the hydrogen and oxygen molecules, fusing them together to create water molecules, which also produces an explosion. However, inhibitors act the opposite way. They work to both slow down and completely stop these reactions from occurring. When the inhibitor binds to the catalyst, it blocks the catalyst from binding to the reactants.

How Do Viagra And Cialis Work?

The primary way that both Viagra and Cialis work is by creating this inhibitor event, making it very hard for the penis to lose its erection. Now, that doesn’t mean that either Viagra or Cialis guarantees an erection. It simply just means that it facilitates the means to get and maintain one. As inhibitors to the PDE-5 enzyme,

Thus, they stop an enzyme from working. It’s the same enzyme that controls the rigidity of the penis. In effect, when these drugs stop the Phosphodiesterase Type-5 (PDE-5) enzyme from working, they’re stopping the penis from getting flaccid. However, they also help as vasodilators, allowing more blow flow to come to the penis.

Since a male erection occurs when the blood flow increases by 6 times the normal flow, by specifically allowing more blood flow to come into the penis, it helps to both get and maintain an erection. That blood flow is incredibly important to the ability to get that erection, but also to maintain it for any length of time.

This is also where Viagra and Cialis differ a little bit. Although they both attack the same enzyme (PDE-5), acting as inhibitors, they work in slightly different ways. But to really gauge the difference when it comes to Viagra versus Cialis, you have to understand the underlying generic drugs that are at play here, which help to bind to the catalyst to oppose the loss or inability to get an erection.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Both Cialis (Tadalafil) and Viagra (Sildenafil) work to treat sexual dysfunction in men. Erectile dysfunction, also known as E.D., is one such dysfunction that these drugs treat. However, others include premature ejaculation (P.E.). Since it’s a problem that affects over half of men in the United States over the age of 20, treating E.D. is a main concern.

However, the biggest problem is that, whether you’re talking about Cialis of Viagra, male arousal is a highly complex thing. It’s not one-dimensional. Not only does it involve the central nervous system, but it’s also a product of the mental and emotional state of any man. Since stress is a leading cause of E.D., physiological causes could be clouded by the mere state-of-mind, level of anxiety or even the fear of being able to perform on time.

That means, E.D. isn’t as clear cut as other diseases. Yet, it’s still something that’s prominent in the hearts and minds of men around the world. No one wants to deal with the stigmas associated with things like E.D. or P.E. So, they turn to treatment options such as Viagra or Cialis, and even other far more invasive methods as well.

It’s also worth noting that there are different types of sexual dysfunction. Some are temporary. Others are life-long. For those with life-long E.D. problems, treatment isn’t as straightforward as taking a little blue or yellow pill. It involves far more painful and surgical methods to treat. And it’s not something that most men prefer.

Viagra (Sildenafil) Vs. Cialis (Tadalafil)

Anytime we talk about Viagra or Cialis, we’re really just talking about the primary generic drugs at work. Both Sildenafil and Tadalafil are PDE-5 inhibitors, but they work a little bit differently. However, anyone comparing Viagra and Cialis should understand the underlying drugs at work here:

Viagra uses Sildenafil

Cialis uses Tadalafil

While Viagra was first to market, and thus the most popular branded version of Sildenafil, Cialis and it’s usage of Tadalafil works a bit differently. The primary differentiators here are just how long it takes for activation (i.e. how long it takes for the drug to work after ingestion) and just how long it lasts after ingesting it (erection longevity).

However, keep in mind that Sildenafil and Tadalafil are just two of a multitude of PDE-5 inhibitors. Some others include the following:

Avanafil – Better knosn as Stendra & Spedra

Lodenafil – Better known as Helleva

Mirodenafil – Marketed in Korea as Mvix

Vardenafil – Marketed in Italy as Vivanza

Udenafil – Marketed in Korea, Russia & the Philippines as Zydena

These drugs all inhibit PDE-5. Some of them work to inhibit other Phosphodiesterase types such as PDE-6 and PDE-9 (Sildenafil) and Tadalafil, which also works to inhibit PDE-11. However, without sexual stimulation, PDE-5 inhibitors are relatively useless. Effectively, the PDE-5 inhibitors work to stop cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), from degrading. When cGMP is blocked from degradation, it substantially increases the blood flow to the penis.

Cialis & Viagra Activation & Longevity Times

One of the biggest differentiators between Cialis and Viagra are not only the activation times (meaning the time it takes for the drugs to take effect), but also the longevity (or plasma half-life), where the drugs begin to degrade beyond the scope of remaining effective. The facts are as follows:

Sildenafil (Viagra) – It takes 30 minutes to an hour to take effect. And it lasts for roughly 2 to 3 hours.

Tadalafil (Cialis) – It take 1 to 2 hours to take effect. And it lasts for 17 to 30 hours.

For some, activation times are important. While these drugs do limit some spontaneity when it comes to sex, the best part of both Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis) is helps to get and keep an erection. Since PDE-5 is inhibited, nitric oxide (NO) helps to keep the penile blood vessels dilated, allowing for the free flow of blood, which is critical for getting and maintaining an erection.

When it comes to any drug and the metabolic process of breaking them down, they can only occur in three different places:

Kidneys

Liver

Blood

The biggest difference here is the break down of the drugs. Each of these PDE-5 inhibitors has a different structure. But they are all metabolized in the liver, where they’re broken down by Cytochrome P450 enzymes. When it’s metabolized, it becomes less effective and ultimately clears out of the system. Since Sildenafil (Viagra) lasts 2 to 4 hours, it is metabolized by the liver faster than Tadalafil (Cialis).

When Viagra or Cialis reaches the liver, these Cytochrome P-450 enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites. They also convert active drugs (like Sildenafil and Tadalafil) to their inactive counterparts. As they’re inactivated, they eventually leave the system. However, the different rates of metabolism are primarily controlled by the level of Cytochrome P-450 enzymes that are doing the work.

Known Side Effects Of Cialis And Viagra

Both Cialis and Viagra have several known side effects. By taking either of these ED medications, you’re at risk for the following:

Severe headaches and migraines

Drop in blood pressure

Flushing (redness) of skin

Nasal congestion

Nausea and upset stomach

Priaprisms (long lasting erections that don’t go away)

Pain in the leg and butt

Seeing problems

Since both Sildenafil and Tadalafil are PDE-5 inhibitors, the side effects are similar in both Viagra and Cialis. It’s not recommended that you take ED treatments like these if you have heart disease or other related illnesses. They also shouldn’t be taken if:

You’ve had a stroke

You have pulmonary hypertension

If you have diabetes

If you have problems with blood circulation

If you have stomach ulcers

What’s The Biggest Difference Between Viagra And Cialis?

What’s the biggest difference when comparing Viagra (Sildenafil) and Cialis (Tadalafil)? It’s a question on most men’s minds. While both drugs are popular in the U.S. and abroad, most men swear by one or the other. At the end of the day, these drugs are simply branded representations of their generic counterparts.

When it comes to Cialis, tadalafil is the only active ingredient. But there are inactive ingredients as well such as sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, titanium dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, and triacetin.

However, when it comes to the comparison of their effects, both Viagra and Cialis are similar. They both work to treat sexual dysfunction in men who have trouble getting and maintaining erections. While they do vary when it comes to things like activation time and longevity, both are similar when it comes to the array of ED treatments you can choose for treating your erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation problems.

However, when it comes to more of a daily medication, Tadalafil (Cialis) is what most men prefer. Why? Because it gives them the ability to be spontaneous. Tadalafil can even last throughout the entire weekend. In fact, it’s been called “The Weekender” drug by many. Whereas, with Viagra, you’re often taking it just before sex. Both will require sexual stimulation, but Tadalafil will give you the ability to be far more spontaneous.

What’s The Price Difference Between Cialis And Viagra

When it comes to the cost, both Cialis and Viagra are similar. Cost-wise, most consider them expensive. Plus, you can’t generally get insurance coverage for E.D. treatment aside from the first three pills at most. Unless, of course, there are other extenuating circumstances that the E.D. pills can treat for more serious medical conditions.

That’s also why most men turn to the generic counterparts. For example, Sildenafil, the only active ingredient in Viagra, costs a fraction of what the branded variation of the pill costs. For example, 20mg of Sildenafil is $2 per dose, whereas branded Viagra $64 per dose for 25mg. That’s a substantial difference. That’s also why most men choose the generic variations of both Cialis and Viagra over the brands themselves.

There are other drugs that are PDE-5 inhibitors as well. Aside from Viagra or Cialis, the third most popular called, Levitra. Levitra uses the Vardenafil PDE-5 inhibitor. Costs for Levitra is also on par with both Viagra and Cialis. And it’s important to note that all of these drugs are often abused. But you should take caution when attempting to take more than the prescribed dosage or if you’re attempting to use them for recreational purposes.

What Are The Alternatives To E.D. Treatments Like Viagra & Cialis

There are several treatment options for E.D. However, if you feel that you have E.D., you shouldn’t attempt to self-diagnosis yourself. You should always consult your physician first and not try to do it on your own. There are so many drug interactions that can occur, especially if you’re taking medication related to heart disease, stroke or diabetes.

Aside from taking the generic variations of Viagra or Cialis, there are other options. For example, through Alpha Club, we offer one of the leading treatments of E.D. for men by using another PDE-5 inhibitor that is far more selective. It falls somewhere between both Sildenafil and Tadalafil. It’s longer lasting than Sildenafil and you can get a free shipping and your first month free when you sign up today.